Latest news with #HiroTechnologies
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Health
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Startup Sells Plastic-eating Fungi Diapers to Tackle Landfill Waste
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) — Could baby poop and fungi work together to tackle landfill waste? That's the idea behind a new product launched by an Austin, Texas-based startup that sells disposable diapers paired with fungi intended to break down the plastic. Each of Hiro Technologies' MycoDigestible Diapers comes with a packet of fungi to be added to the dirty diaper before it is thrown in the trash. After a week or two, the fungi are activated by moisture from feces, urine and the environment to begin the process of biodegradation. Disposable diapers contribute significantly to landfill waste. An estimated 4 million tons of diapers were disposed of in the United States in 2018, with no significant recycling or composting, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Diapers take hundreds of years to naturally break down. That means the very first disposable diaper ever used is still in a landfill somewhere. To tackle this, Hiro Technologies turned to fungi. These organisms — which include mushrooms, molds, yeasts and mildew — derive nutrients from decomposing organic matter. In 2011, Yale University researchers discovered a type of fungus in Ecuador that can feed on polyurethane, a common polymer in plastic products. They figured the fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, would be capable of surviving on plastic in environments lacking oxygen, like landfills. Hiro Technologies cofounder Tero Isokauppila, a Finnish entrepreneur who also founded medicinal mushroom company Four Sigmatic, said there are more than 100 species of fungi now known to break down plastics. 'Many, many moons ago, fungi evolved to break down trees, especially this hard-to-break-down compound in trees called lignin … Its carbon backbone is very similar to the carbon backbone of plastics because essentially they're made out of the same thing,' Isokauppila said. Three sealed jars at Hiro Technologies' lab show the stages of decomposition of a treated diaper over time. By nine months, the product appears as black soil — 'just digested plastic and essentially earth,' Isokauppila said. The company says it needs to do more research to find out how the product will decompose in real-world conditions in different climates and hopes to have the data to make a 'consumer-facing claim' by next year. It also plans to experiment with plastic-eating fungi on adult diapers, feminine care products and other now, it is selling 'diaper bundles' for $35 a week online. Cofounder Miki Agrawal, who was also behind period underwear company Thinx, said the MycoDigestible Diapers had been generating excitement from consumers and investors since launching about a month ago, declining to give details. Agrawal said the company had chosen to focus on diapers as the top household plastic waste item. 'There is a deleterious lasting effect that we haven't really thought about and considered,' Agrawal said. 'Because when you throw something away, no one's asking themselves, 'Where's away?''
Sustainability Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Sustainability Times
'We Turned Poop Into Soil': Revolutionary Diaper Breaks Down Waste and Plastic Into Rich Earth in Under 12 Months
IN A NUTSHELL 🌱 MycoDigestible Diapers by Hiro Technologies use fungi to break down plastic waste into nutrient-rich soil. by Hiro Technologies use fungi to break down plastic waste into nutrient-rich soil. 🔬 Fungi, known as nature's decomposers, release enzymes that target carbon bonds in plastics, promoting rapid decomposition. 🌍 Made from sustainable materials, these diapers decompose in nine months, reducing landfill waste and microplastic pollution. 💡 Future prospects include expanding fungi applications to other products, with ongoing research to optimize real-world effectiveness. In the modern world where environmental concerns are at an all-time high, the issue of disposable diaper waste is more pressing than ever. Each year, billions of disposable diapers end up in landfills, where they can take up to 500 years to decompose. The introduction of MycoDigestible Diapers by Hiro Technologies presents a groundbreaking solution to this pervasive problem. By harnessing the power of fungi, these innovative diapers aim to transform waste into fertile soil in less than a year. This article delves into the revolutionary technology behind this product and its potential impact on reducing environmental pollution. Diaper Paired with Fungi The team at Hiro Technologies has drawn inspiration from nature's ability to break down complex organic materials. Fungi, which have evolved over millions of years, are renowned for their decomposing capabilities, particularly when it comes to complex carbon structures like plastics. The specialized fungi used in MycoDigestible Diapers release enzymes that target the carbon bonds in plastic, effectively breaking them down. Research has shown that certain fungi, such as those identified in Hawaiian marine environments or discovered by Yale University, can degrade plastics even in oxygen-poor settings like landfills. By embedding a packet of these fungi in each diaper, Hiro Technologies ensures that after use, the fungi become active with moisture, beginning the decomposition process. This innovative approach not only reduces landfill waste but also recycles it into nutrient-rich soil. Silent Killer in Your Home: This Common Plastic Chemical Linked to Staggering 356,000 Heart Disease Deaths in 2018, Study Reveals Sustainable Diapers Most traditional diapers are made using petroleum-based plastics, which contribute to microplastic pollution. In contrast, MycoDigestible Diapers are made from unbleached cotton and softwood fluff pulp, sourced from sustainably managed forests. This makes them gentle on a baby's skin and environmentally friendly. The effectiveness of these diapers has been visually confirmed in laboratory settings, where treated diapers decompose into black soil within nine months. Currently, Hiro Technologies sells these eco-friendly diaper bundles online for $35 per week. While the product demonstrates remarkable potential, the company acknowledges the need for further research to assess decomposition in various real-world climates. Besides diapers, Hiro Technologies is exploring the application of plastic-eating fungi in other products like adult incontinence items and feminine care products. Breakthrough air-powered tech claims to recycle 94% of plastic in just 4 hours using moisture Innovation in Waste Management Hiro Technologies is at the forefront of a new wave of innovation that combines traditional ecological knowledge with modern science. The use of fungi in waste management is not entirely new, but its application in consumer products like diapers represents a significant leap forward. By turning waste into something valuable, the technology not only mitigates environmental harm but also contributes positively to the ecosystem. The broader implications of this technology are vast. If adopted on a large scale, MycoDigestible Diapers could significantly reduce the volume of waste in landfills and the associated environmental hazards. This aligns with global sustainability goals and offers a viable path forward in the quest to reduce human ecological footprints. 'Living Mushrooms Could Power Your Phone': This Stunning Breakthrough Might Replace Plastic and Rechargeable Batteries Forever Future Prospects and Challenges While the MycoDigestible Diapers present a promising solution, there are challenges and questions that remain. The first peer-reviewed study on this innovation is expected in 2026, which will provide critical data on its long-term efficacy and environmental impact. Moreover, the scalability of this solution and its acceptance in the market are important factors that will determine its success. Hiro Technologies is optimistic about expanding their research to include other consumer products. However, they recognize the importance of understanding how these fungi operate in diverse climates and conditions. The potential of fungi to revolutionize waste management and create a more sustainable future is immense. Could this be the beginning of a new era in eco-friendly consumer products? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (29)
Malay Mail
18-06-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Texas startup sells plastic-eating fungi diapers to tackle landfill waste
AUSTIN, June 19 — Could baby poop and fungi work together to tackle landfill waste? That's the idea behind a new product launched by an Austin, Texas-based startup that sells disposable diapers paired with fungi intended to break down the plastic. Each of Hiro Technologies' MycoDigestible Diapers comes with a packet of fungi to be added to the dirty diaper before it is thrown in the trash. After a week or two, the fungi are activated by moisture from feces, urine and the environment to begin the process of biodegradation. Disposable diapers contribute significantly to landfill waste. An estimated 4 million tons of diapers were disposed of in the United States in 2018, with no significant recycling or composting, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Diapers take hundreds of years to naturally break down. That means the very first disposable diaper ever used is still in a landfill somewhere. To tackle this, Hiro Technologies turned to fungi. These organisms — which include mushrooms, molds, yeasts and mildew — derive nutrients from decomposing organic matter. In 2011, Yale University researchers discovered a type of fungus in Ecuador that can feed on polyurethane, a common polymer in plastic products. They figured the fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, would be capable of surviving on plastic in environments lacking oxygen, like landfills. Hiro Technologies co-founder Tero Isokauppila, a Finnish entrepreneur who also founded medicinal mushroom company Four Sigmatic, said there are more than 100 species of fungi now known to break down plastics. 'Many, many moons ago, fungi evolved to break down trees, especially this hard-to-break-down compound in trees called lignin. ... Its carbon backbone is very similar to the carbon backbone of plastics because essentially they're made out of the same thing,' Isokauppila said. Three sealed jars at Hiro Technologies' lab show the stages of decomposition of a treated diaper over time. By nine months, the product appears as black soil — 'just digested plastic and essentially earth,' Isokauppila said. The company says it needs to do more research to find out how the product will decompose in real-world conditions in different climates and hopes to have the data to make a 'consumer-facing claim' by next year. It also plans to experiment with plastic-eating fungi on adult diapers, feminine care products and other items. For now, it is selling 'diaper bundles' for US$35 a week online. Co-founder Miki Agrawal, who was also behind period underwear company Thinx, said the MycoDigestible Diapers had been generating excitement from consumers and investors since launching about a month ago, declining to give details. Agrawal said the company had chosen to focus on diapers as the top household plastic waste item. 'There is a deleterious lasting effect that we haven't really thought about and considered,' Agrawal said. 'Because when you throw something away, no one's asking themselves, 'Where's away?'' — Reuters
Deccan Herald
17-06-2025
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Fungi added to dirty diaper before it is thrown away
Could baby poop and fungi work together to tackle landfill waste? That's the idea behind a new product launched by an Austin, Texas-based startup that sells disposable diapers paired with fungi intended to break down the of Hiro Technologies' MycoDigestible Diapers comes with a packet of fungi to be added to the dirty diaper before it is thrown in the trash. After a week or two, the fungi are activated by moisture from feces, urine and the environment to begin the process of diapers contribute significantly to landfill waste. An estimated 4 million tons of diapers were disposed of in the United States in 2018, with no significant recycling or composting, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Diapers take hundreds of years to naturally break down. That means the very first disposable diaper ever used is still in a landfill tackle this, Hiro Technologies turned to fungi. These organisms - which include mushrooms, molds, yeasts and mildew - derive nutrients from decomposing organic matter. In 2011, Yale University researchers discovered a type of fungus in Ecuador that can feed on polyurethane, a common polymer in plastic products. They figured the fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, would be capable of surviving on plastic in environments lacking oxygen, like Technologies co-founder Tero Isokauppila, a Finnish entrepreneur who also founded medicinal mushroom company Four Sigmatic, said there are more than 100 species of fungi now known to break down plastics."Many, many moons ago, fungi evolved to break down trees, especially this hard-to-break-down compound in trees called lignin. ... Its carbon backbone is very similar to the carbon backbone of plastics because essentially they're made out of the same thing," Isokauppila sealed jars at Hiro Technologies' lab show the stages of decomposition of a treated diaper over time. By nine months, the product appears as black soil - "just digested plastic and essentially earth," Isokauppila company says it needs to do more research to find out how the product will decompose in real-world conditions in different climates and hopes to have the data to make a "consumer-facing claim" by next year. It also plans to experiment with plastic-eating fungi on adult diapers, feminine care products and other now, it is selling "diaper bundles" for $35 a week online. Co-founder Miki Agrawal, who was also behind period underwear company Thinx, said the MycoDigestible Diapers had been generating excitement from consumers and investors since launching about a month ago, declining to give details. Agrawal said the company had chosen to focus on diapers as the top household plastic waste item."There is a deleterious lasting effect that we haven't really thought about and considered," Agrawal said. "Because when you throw something away, no one's asking themselves, 'Where's away?'"
NDTV
17-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
US Firm Uses Fungi To Develop Formula To Break Plastic In Baby Diapers
A US-based start-up has come up with a sustainable solution for environmental issues linked to disposable diapers. The company, Hiro Technologies, said that they have developed MycoDigestible Diapers, which is a fungi-powered decomposition technology. The Texas startup company said that baby poop and fungi would work together to break down the plastic. "We have figured out how to collaborate with nature's ancient technology — decomposer fungi — to support the breakdown of the HIRO Diaper," the website of Hiro Technologies noted. How will this disposable diaper work? The company said that each MycoDigestible Diaper comes with a packet of fungi, which is supposed to be added to the dirty diaper before throwing it away. The fungi are activated by moisture from faeces, urine and the environment to begin the process of biodegradation after a week or two. The company is selling "diaper bundles" for $35 a week online. Disposable diapers contribute significantly to landfill waste, taking up to 300-500 years to decompose. They emit greenhouse gas methane and contaminate groundwater. If not disposed of properly, the diapers can also pollute water bodies and spread viruses and bacteria. The company said that they analysed the stages of decomposition of a treated diaper over time in three sealed jars. The product looked like black soil in nine months. Scientists have conducted several studies to understand various aspects of fungi. Earlier this year, in February, a study found that a Hawaiian marine fungus is capable of plastic degradation. Researchers at Yale University in 2011 identified a fungus (Pestalotiopsis microspora) that is capable of consuming polyurethane, a plastic polymer. Drawbacks of using diapers Several health experts have said that chemicals and synthetic materials in disposable diapers can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and rashes. Infrequent changing and prolonged exposure to urine and stool can lead to diaper rash, regardless of the diaper type.
